Palo Alto Stanford Heritage
The following is from the 2008 Holiday House Tour booklet:
This house, built in 1950, is the earliest Eichler on the tour. It is part of the Green Gables neighborhood, one of Eichler's first developments in Palo Alto. There are several features of this house unique to Green Gables. For example, ceilings and walls are finished with natural redwood, where later Eichler houses used a less expensive Philippine mahogany. This typical Green Gables Eichler has swinging doors leading to the exterior patio, instead of the sliders that marked later houses. Also, the fireplace is brick, whereas later Eichler fireplaces were constructed of cinderblock.
Interior: Note the owners' collection of period furniture throughout the house, both pedigreed varieties and fun flea-market finds. Also note the attractive "pickled" treatment of the redwood walls and ceilings, which lightens the wood without hiding the grain. The house was pushed out into the front yard to create the Entry/Family Room. Note the custom room divider, high pine ceilings allowing for generous clerestory windows, and a decorative tile pattern marking the location of the original front door.
In the Dining Area, note the Eero Saarinen chairs and unusual oval table; the table has a cast iron base for stability.
The Living Room is highlighted by a built in shelving unit accented with fluted glass, an original feature recently restored. Note the taller portion of the lower cabinet; this cabinet was an original Eichler feature, meant to hold a card table.
Small Bedroom: The bookshelf is from the original Kepler's Bookstore.
Library: This converted bedroom with new redwood shelving, custom desk, chair and footstool was designed by architect–son of homeowners.
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Bath: Note the redwood paneling—original to house, removed, reversed, and reinstalled sideways as individual panels.
Master Bedroom: The new raised ceiling (exposed pine) allows clerestory windows for light and privacy.
Garden and Exterior: Front Entry Patio: Note the glass fence and Rochelle Ford's welded rain chain in the front entry area.
Back Patio: Harry Bertoia "Diamond" lounge chairs, Saarinen tables.
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